Blogs by Andrew Zellmer, ALC
August 20, 2025
Land Auction Results | July 2025
The appraisal team at Peoples Company was able to track 24 tracts or 2,244 acres sold at public auction in Iowa during July 2025. The average dollar per acre was $11,758, the average dollar per tillable acre was $13,739, and the average dollar per CSR2 was $170.
August 19, 2025
Understanding Conservation Easements: Benefits, Programs, and Property Valuation
Learn how conservation easements work, their tax benefits, key USDA programs, and how they impact agricultural property valuations in transitional markets.
July 7, 2025
Land Auction Results | June 2025
The appraisal team at Peoples Company was able to track 62 tracts or 5,934 acres sold at public auction in Iowa during June 2025. The average dollar per acre was $11,129, the average dollar per tillable acre was $13,003, and the average dollar per CSR2 was $159.
July 7, 2025
Iowa Land Values Update | 2025 Quarter 2
Peoples Company tracks agricultural auctions across the state of Iowa. From this data, we calculate the average dollar per CSR2 point ($/CSR2) for sales of tracts with greater than 85% tillable land. Additionally, these tracts are largely unimproved or include minimal improvement contribution.
June 19, 2025
Crop Insurance - A Quick Update, And Other Things To Think About
Commodity markets have not been kind to agricultural producers and landowners so far in 2025.
May 16, 2025
How Columbia Basin Farmers Saved 17 Billion Gallons of Water Through AgTech Innovation
Farmers and communities east of Moses Lake and north of Warden, in Washington State’s Grant and Adams counties, are on the verge of a significant shift in how they access and use water.
May 9, 2025
2025 Delta Agricultural Outlook: Insights for Landowners
The 2025 farming season in the Delta region is proving to be one of the most difficult in recent years - and that is saying something. Landowners across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas are watching their tenants shift crop strategies, struggle with flood damage, and continue to tighten their belts as economic conditions remain strained.
April 7, 2025
Iowa Land Values Update | 2025 Quarter 1
Peoples Company tracks agricultural auctions across the state of Iowa. From this data, we calculate the average dollar per CSR2 point ($/CSR2) for sales of tracts with greater than 85% tillable land. Additionally, these tracts are largely unimproved or include minimal improvement contribution.
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March 3, 2025
Land Auction Results | February 2025
The appraisal team at Peoples Company was able to track 65 tracts or 7,510 acres sold at public auction in Iowa during February 2025. The average dollar per acre was $12,178, the average dollar per tillable acre was $13,263, and the average dollar per CSR2 was $171.
February 6, 2025
Land Auction Results | January 2025
The appraisal team at Peoples Company was able to track 76 tracts or 6,614 acres sold at public auction in Iowa during January 2025. The average dollar per acre was $11,295, the average dollar per tillable acre was $13,808, and the average dollar per CSR2 was $180.
January 8, 2025
Iowa Land Values Update | 2024 Quarter 4
Peoples Company tracks agricultural auctions across the state of Iowa. From this data, we calculate the average dollar per CSR2 point ($/CSR2) for sales of tracts with greater than 85% tillable land. Additionally, these tracts are largely unimproved or include minimal improvement contribution.
January 8, 2025
Land Auction Results | December 2024
The appraisal team at Peoples Company was able to track 90 tracts or 8,791 acres sold at public auction in Iowa during December 2024. The average dollar per acre was $11,076, the average dollar per tillable acre was $12,329, and the average dollar per CSR2 was $175.
December 4, 2024
Land Auction Results | November 2024
The appraisal team at Peoples Company was able to track 223 tracts or 22,530 acres sold at public auction in Iowa during November 2024. The average dollar per acre was $12,090, the average dollar per tillable acre was $13,949, and the average dollar per CSR2 was $180.
November 26, 2024
How Professional Imagery, Mapping, and Videography Elevate a Real Estate Listing
In the highly competitive real estate market, first impressions matter. With more buyers and investors turning to online platforms to discover properties, the visual presentation of a listing can make all the difference. High-quality imagery, mapping, and videography are no longer optional add-ons but essential tools for attracting potential buyers. These tools provide a deeper understanding of the property, build emotional connections, and ultimately drive faster and higher-value sales. Let’s explore how these elements work together to elevate real estate listings, especially when dealing with properties like farmland, large estates, or development tracts.
November 4, 2024
Land Auction Results | October 2024
The appraisal team at Peoples Company was able to track 139 tracts or 12,335 acres sold at public auction in Iowa during October 2024. The average dollar per acre was $11,072, the average dollar per tillable acre was $12,408, and the average dollar per CSR2 was $161.
October 10, 2024
Investing in Recreational Land: A Guide to Smart Land Purchases
Are you considering investing in land for recreational purposes? Whether you're dreaming of a secluded hunting retreat, a serene fishing spot, or simply a piece of nature to call your own, purchasing recreational land can be a rewarding investment.
October 2, 2024
Iowa Land Values Update | 2024 Quarter 3
Peoples Company tracks agricultural auctions across the state of Iowa. From this data, we calculate the average dollar per CSR2 point ($/CSR2) for sales of tracts with greater than 85% tillable land. Additionally, these tracts are largely unimproved or include minimal improvement contribution.
October 2, 2024
Land Auction Results | September 2024
The appraisal team at Peoples Company was able to track 93 tracts or 7,374 acres sold at public auction in Iowa during September 2024. The average dollar per acre was $13,428, the average dollar per tillable acre was $13,481, and the average dollar per CSR2 was $170.
September 26, 2024
Alligator Hunting in Louisiana
Alligator hunting in Louisiana is deeply rooted in the culture, history, and ecology of the state. Louisiana’s winding bayous/rivers, sprawling marshlands, and expansive timber tracts offer the largest selection of hunting experiences in the United States, drawing hunters from around the world who seek the adventure of hunting numerous different animals and species. Alligator hunting is probably the most unique and thrilling hunting experience offered in the boot state.
September 25, 2024
The Power of Networking
Go, Dog. Go! This classic children’s book written by P.D. Eastman was my daughter’s favorite book. She loved the pictures of colorful dogs franticly racing from one place to another, seemingly without any purpose. Some days a career in rural appraisal can feel very similar. Running from property inspections, market research, meetings, classes, verifying sales, and writing appraisal reports, can make it feel like we are running in circles.
